Special Education

The Arkansas Department of Education (ADE), Special Education Unit, works in collaboration with local school districts to provide special education services for students with disabilities (ages 3 to 21) in an effort to ensure that all special education students in Arkansas receive a Free Appropriate Public Education (FAPE) as outlined in the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA).

The Special Education Unit is committed to improving educational results for students with disabilities though statewide leadership and support to schools, educators, students, families, and other stakeholders.

Additional responsibilities include the oversight of statewide compliance with all federal and state special education laws and regulations, development of programs and services, management of federally required data reporting and analysis, and administration of state and local special education budgets.